Quarterback trainer

ABSTRACT

A quarterback trainer includes a circular target frame having a plurality of target locations and is mounted on a support for rotation about its axis in either direction. The support may be located on a cart. The cart includes a receptacle area below the target frame that receives and stores footballs thrown toward the target. A motor is coupled to the pivot for the frame to facilitate control of rotations of the circular target frame. A controller for the motor controls activation and deactivation as well as the direction of rotation and the speed of rotation of the motor&#39;s driven shaft. The motor is preferably powered by one or more batteries.

This application claims priority from Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/335,187, filed Jan. 4, 2010.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a quarterback trainer.

In the prior art, devices used to train quarterbacks in the game of football to throw a football more accurately are known. A variety of devices are known which include targets to which a quarterback throws a football seeking to improve accuracy. However, Applicant is unaware of any such device including all of the features and aspects of the present invention.

The following prior art is known to Applicant:

U.S. Pat. No. 1,954,838 to Woolsey et al. discloses a toy football game in which a toy character projects a toy football toward a plurality of fixed targets.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,419,272 to Miller et al. discloses an oscillatory target consisting of a hoop on a rod which may be oscillated by a motor and with the hoop providing a target to which a projectile may be thrown.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,533,624 to Miller et al. discloses a further example of an oscillatory target that is movable through the operation of a spring type motor. The device includes a hoop similar to that which is disclosed in the Miller et al. '272 patent.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,810,618 to Nedwick discloses a quarterback football trainer that includes a target with a plurality of openings to which a quarterback may throw a ball.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,823,939 to Bottorff discloses a football practice apparatus including a target mounted on a rail system with the target being movable along the rail or track through use of a mechanism that allows conveyance of the target along the track.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,979,117 to Worsham discloses a football dart board game including a target having a plurality of locations where a projectile may be thrown.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,826,166 to Baker et al. discloses a football target assembly including a movable target mounted on a net.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,936,578 to Hudson, Sr. discloses a quarterback practice target including a frame having a plurality of targets, the positions of which may be movable and adjustable.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,005,842 to Bauer discloses a dart game having a target with a plurality of locations where a dart may be thrown to score points.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,037,095 to Nedwick discloses a quarterback trainer game apparatus including a plurality of targets mounted on a receptacle for receiving footballs that have been thrown to one of the targets.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,688,196 to O'Neil discloses a remote controlled moving target for passing practice including two supports between which a circular target may be conveyed back and forth by operation of a remote control device.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,114,725 to Camp et al. discloses a rotary shooting target which includes two diametrically opposed targets rotatably mounted on a frame and which may be shot using a firearm.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,288,033 to Jordan discloses a quarterback toss target including a base on which a plurality of targets may be attached using elongated rods.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,736,738 to Taa discloses a football target practice apparatus in which a base has a plurality of targets to which a football may be thrown.

The present invention differs from the teachings of the prior art discussed above as contemplating a plurality of targets mounted on a rotary frame that may be selectively rotated at differing directions and speeds to assist in training a quarterback to improve accuracy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a quarterback trainer. The present invention includes the following interrelated objects, aspects and features:

(1) In a first aspect, the inventive quarterback trainer includes a circular target frame having a plurality of target locations thereon.

(2) The circular target frame is mounted on a support for rotation about its axis. The support may be fixed or may be located on a cart.

(3) If the circular target frame is mounted on a cart, in the preferred embodiment, the cart includes a receptacle area below the target frame that receives and stores footballs thrown toward the target to more easily facilitate retrieving the footballs for reuse.

(4) In the preferred embodiment, a motor is coupled to the pivot for the frame to facilitate control of rotations of the circular target frame. A controller for the motor controls activation and deactivation as well as the direction of rotation and the speed of rotation. The controller may also include a remote control so that movements of the circular target frame can be carried out remotely.

(5) In the preferred embodiment, the motor is powered by one or more batteries so that the inventive device is not required to be accompanied by an electrical plug and an elongated cord. The inventive device is intended to be used on a football field where electrical power is not often easily accessible, particularly when it is desired to move the device from location to location.

(6) So that the inventive quarterback is always available for use, where battery powered, it is also accompanied by a solar charger that maintains the battery or batteries in a charged condition. A photoelectric switch may be associated with the solar charger so that it is deactivated during the night and activated during daylight hours. The photoelectric switch is of the type that, when activating the charger, deactivates the output from the batteries.

(7) Where alternating current power supply is to be used, a transformer is provided to convert the AC power to DC power.

As such, it is a first object of the present invention to provide a quarterback trainer.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a quarterback trainer in which a circular target is mounted on a support for rotations in either direction.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide such a device in which a motor is provided that controls movements of the circular target frame with the motor being powered by either direct current or alternating current.

It is a yet further object of the present invention to provide such a device in which a solar charger is provided to charge batteries used to power the device.

These and other objects, aspects and features of the present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment when read in conjunction with the appended drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a front view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a side view thereof.

FIG. 3 shows a top view thereof.

FIG. 4 shows a front side perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows an exploded perspective view of a bearing system for connecting the motor to the target frame.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic representation of the electrical circuitry of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a portion of the circuitry of FIG. 6 showing an alternative configuration.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 4, but showing additional details.

SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to FIG. 1, the present invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 10 and is seen to include a circular target frame 11 including a peripheral frame 13 and a plurality of target locations 15, 17, 19 and 21. As seen in FIG. 8, within the peripheral target frame, netting 23 may be provided that supports the targets 15, 17, 19 and 21.

With reference back to FIGS. 1-4, the target frame 11 may be mounted on a cart or trailer 30 that includes a base 31 as well as peripheral walls 33 that are mounted about the periphery of the base 31 and provide an enclosure designed to receive and retain footballs that have been thrown at the targets and have fallen onto the base.

Additionally, with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, a plurality of wheels 35 are mounted on corners of the base 31 to facilitate transport of the cart. A pivotable rod 37 is mounted on the base 31 and has a handle 39 that may be gripped to facilitate transport. Additionally, a trailer hitch 81 with a hitching ball 83 (FIG. 1) are provided to facilitate hitching the cart or trailer 30 to a GATOR-type towing vehicle or similar vehicle.

With reference to FIG. 2, in particular, extending upwardly from the base 31 is a post 41 to which are mounted a plurality of bearings 43. The bearings 43 support the shaft 47 of a motor 45 that is supported on a platform 44 affixed to the post 41 as shown. These features are also seen with reference to FIG. 5. As seen in FIG. 5, at the top of the post, a further platform 42 is provided that supports the bearings 43 which are fastened thereto by threaded fasteners 49.

The drive shaft 47 of the motor 45 is fastened to a bracket 51 that is connected to a rear face of the target frame 13.

With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, an explanation will now be given concerning the electrical circuitry for the present invention. The motor 45 is schematically shown and is powered by a source of power shown in FIG. 6 to be a battery 61. As shown, a solar charger 63 is mounted in parallel about the battery 61 and a resistor 65 is provided to prevent overcharging of the battery 61. A photoelectric switch 67 controls operation of the solar charger 63. In this regard, the photoelectric switch senses ambient light. When the ambient light is sufficiently strong enough that the photoelectric switch senses it is daytime, the solar charger 63 is activated to charge the battery 61. When the photoelectric switch senses that it is nighttime by lack of ambient light, the photoelectric switch deactivates the solar charger.

The reference numeral 69 refers to a controller that controls on/off activation of the motor 45, a speed control for the motor 45 that may consist of a rheostat, and a reversing switch to control the direction of rotation of the motor 45 and its shaft 47. A receiver 69 is associated with the on/off, speed control, and reversing switches 68, and is connected to a remote transmitter 71, preferably with a wireless connection. Of course, if desired, a wired connection between the receiver 69 and the transmitter 71 may be provided as desired.

With reference to FIG. 7, the battery 61 may be replaced with the secondary windings 75 of a transformer 73 having primary windings 72 that are connected to a source 77 of alternating current. Thus, the source 77 of alternating current may supply power at 110 to 120 VAC to the primary windings 72 of the transformer 73 with the secondary windings 75 providing 12 volt DC power in replacement of the battery 61.

Thus, in the operation of the present invention, power is supplied either by the transformer 73 or the battery 61. The transmitter 71 transmits signals as manipulated by the operator to activate or deactivate the motor 45, causing the motor 45 to rotate about its shaft 47 in one direction or the other, and to control the speed of operation of the motor 45. In this way, the circular target frame 13 may be rotated in either direction and at any desired speed in either direction including ability to controllably vary speed of rotation in either direction. The targets 15, 17, 19 and 21 may be thrown at by a quarterback whether stationary or moving in either direction to help the quarterback enhance their accuracy in throwing to a receiver.

If desired, the support post 41 (FIG. 2) may be mounted on the cart 30 or, if desired, may be mounted on a fixed location such as a support post mounted in the ground, or even on a sled or other movable support means.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the component parts thereof are typically made of a rust proof metal material such as stainless steel or aluminum. Alternatively, some of the components may be made of wood or plastic.

As such, an invention has been disclosed in terms of a preferred embodiment thereof which fulfills each and every one of the objects of the invention as set forth hereinabove and provides a new and improved quarterback trainer of great novelty and utility.

Of course, various changes, modifications and alterations in the teachings of the present invention may be contemplated by those skilled in the art without departing from the intended spirit and scope thereof.

As such, it is intended that the present invention only be limited by the terms of the appended claims. 

1. A training device, comprising: a) a support supporting a target frame for rotation; b) a plurality of targets on said target frame; c) a reversible motor mounted on said support and having a driven shaft coupled to said target frame; d) a controller for said motor controlling activation and deactivation, direction of rotation and speed of rotation of said driven shaft; and e) a power supply supplying power to drive said motor.
 2. The training device of claim 1, wherein said support is mounted on a cart.
 3. The training device of claim 2, wherein said cart has a plurality of wheels and a trailer hitch.
 4. The training device of claim 2, wherein said cart includes peripheral walls surrounding said support and defining a receptacle.
 5. The training device of claim 1, wherein said target frame is circular.
 6. The training device of claim 5, wherein each of said targets is circular.
 7. The training device of claim 1, wherein each of said targets is circular.
 8. The training device of claim 1, further wherein said controller is a wireless remote control device.
 9. The training device of claim 1, wherein said motor is battery powered.
 10. The training device of claim 1, wherein said motor is powered by direct current (DC) power.
 11. The training device of claim 10, wherein said power is supplied by one or more batteries.
 12. The training device of claim 10, wherein said power is supplied by a source of alternating current power and a transformer.
 13. The training device of claim 9, wherein said battery is rechargeable.
 14. The training device of claim 13, further including a solar battery charger connected to said battery.
 15. The training device of claim 14, further including a photoelectric switch connected to said solar battery charger to deactivate said charger during night hours.
 16. The training device of claim 1, including four circular targets.
 17. A training device, comprising: a) a support supporting a circular target frame for rotation; b) a plurality of circular targets on said target frame; c) a reversible motor mounted on said support and having a driven shaft coupled to said target frame; d) a wireless remote controller for said motor controlling activation and deactivation, direction of rotation and speed of rotation of said driven shaft; and e) a power supply supplying power to drive said motor.
 18. The training device of claim 17, wherein said support is mounted on a cart, said cart having a plurality of wheels and a trailer hitch.
 19. The training device of claim 18, wherein said cart includes peripheral walls surrounding said support and defining a receptacle.
 20. The training device of claim 17, wherein said motor is battery powered, said power being supplied by one or more rechargeable batteries, and further including a solar battery charger connected to said battery. 